Stage Is Set for a Battle Over Nickles Today

The D.C. Council is set to vote today on the confirmation of the Acting Attorney General Peter J. Nickles, who finds himself the focus of controversy. The judiciary committee's 3-2 vote against Nickles has set the stage for an interesting day, as Hamil Harris notes in this morning's news story.

The Fenty administration has said that it is confident that Nickles will be confirmed. But Nickles, who has been a dedicated lawyer on behalf of the disadvantaged in his career, has also frustrated many in the city with his aggressive style during his time in the Fenty administration.

Central to the issue, however, is his relationship with the mayor. The committee rejected him yesterday because it has argued that he is too close to the mayor, and can't serve as both the lawyer for the executive and the lawyer for the city. But those who support Nickles argue that his role does not require independence from the executive branch.